A swag of former Kiwis and Warriors will take to the field for their old West Auckland club Glenora today in a testimonial for Gavin Bailey, a stalwart of the league scene in Auckland who didn't quite make it to top level.
Former Kiwis and Warriors hooker DuaneMann is coach of Glenora's Fox Memorial team, the opposition for the match, but Bailey was given rights to select his line-up and has called Mann into the playing ranks.
"I may play for them, I may not, I pulled my calf muscle a couple of weeks ago," Mann, 43, said.
The old Glen Eden Recreation Ground is fenced off after drainage work and the game kicks off at 5pm on the upper field, affectionately named "Duck Park" by those who played their junior football for the club, putting up with muddy slop in winter that turned to hardened and ankle-breaking holes in summer.
In the Bailey invitation side are are former New Zealand, Auckland and Warrriors players Mike Patten, Steve Buckingham, Ben Lythe, Boycie Nelson, Brian Jellick, Lee Tamatoa and Brady Malam.
Glenora's 1991 Kiwi Dean Lonergan was invited but must beat a weight limit to start the match.
The Warriors hold an open training session at the North Harbour Stadium from 9am today ahead of their run there tomorrow against the North Queensland Cowboys, with captain Steve Price inviting fans to see new talent including Christchurch-bred Lewis Brown and Ukumu Ta'ai from the Mt Albert club, both 22, both coming late to the top level.
The NRL champion Manly squad is looking for a "Suzie" after several members were struck down by a stomach complaint ahead of their game against the Super League side London Harlequins this weekend. Manly have taken their top squad to prepare for the World Club Challenge against Brian "Bluey" McClennan's Leeds Rhinos on March 1.
